Australian Football

Fred Carpenter was a highly accomplished small man who gave fine service to South Melbourne on either side of World War One. Originally from North Melbourne Juniors, he joined Williamstown in 1907 and crossed to the Southerners the following year, making his senior VFL debut in 1910. A rover with a keen eye for goal, he played a total of 52 games and booted 68 goals over the course of a league career that ended in 1920, but which was interrupted by a spell at North Melbourne and five seasons away from football in the war years. After leaving South at the end of 1920, Carpenter resumed at VFA club Williamstown, topping that club's goal kicking list in 1923 with 63 goals and in 1924 with 35. In the latter season he served as the Seagulls' captain-coach and guided them to second place behind a very strong Footscray combination. The 1925 season saw Fred Carpenter on the move to Port Melbourne, where he was appointed non-playing coach. In 1926 he returned to the on-field fray and assumed the captaincy reins as well, steering the side to third place. He stood down from both leadership roles but continued as a player with the club for several more years, amassing a total of 78 games.

Author - John Devaney